"Sole Source" and "Emergency" Justification of $400,000 No-Bid Hyperscreen Contracts Does Not Pass the "Laugh Test" or the "Smell Test"

Signed in 2012 by Assistant City Manager TIMOTHY BURCHFIELD and City Manager JOHN PATRICK REGAN, P.E., the "sole source" and "emergency" memo (one page) does not pass the "laugh test" or the "smell test."

On July 9, 2012 -- with Commission William Leary on vacation in Montana -- Commissioners voted to spend $1,025,520 to renovate the Visitor Information Center for the ill-fated Picasso exhibit and other "museum-quality exhibitions."

On September 10, 2012, BURCHFIELD wrote REGAN that he had been "recently instructed to have the renovations completed by January 1, 2013. The remaining time for completion only allows for a [sic] three and a half months, while maintaining visitor services throughout the project."

BURCHFIELD continues, "One of the major aspects of the renovation deals with the expansion of technology and the purchase of certain hardware to house and run the technology. Time constrains on this project require a crashing of the critical path to ensure completion in a timely manner."

BURCHFIELD goes on, "After discussions with Terry Healey our intention is to integrate the additional technology with preexisting in the Visitor Information Center. We feel all the technology on the same platform under one contract is beneficial to the City in the long run. Because Head High Holdings LLC designed and designed and installed the current technology and they are capable of developing and providing the additional technology I request a sole source contract for technology, hardware and associated assets. Additionally, the short time given to complete the project limits our ability to guarantee a quality product by January 1, 2013. Therefore, I am requesting the contracting of Head High Holdings LLC be classified as an emergency contract."

BURCHFIELD concludes, "By signing below signifying your concurrence we will be able to proceed and accomplish our goal of a January 1, 2013 completion date."

BURCHFIELD and REGAN both signed.

Mayor Shaver, citizens, the City Commission, the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney will be interested in their specious illogic and failure to discuss any details of the "technology," failure to consult the GSA schedule on technology purchases, failure to define requirements, failure to adhere to minimum purchasing ethics standards, and award of the contract to cronies of the ancien regime.